Electric switching device



Aug. 11, 1925.

1,549,449 c CHRISTENSEN ELECTRIC SWITCHING DEVICE Original Filed Aug; 30. 1 20 Inventor:

' Christen Christensen,

His Attorngg.

Patented Aug. ll, i925 CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCHING DEVICE.

Original application filed August 30, 1920, Serial No. 406,961. Divided and this application filed July 11?, 1922. Serial No. 529,919.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRIs'rEN CHRISTEN- snN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switchlng Devices, of which the following is a speci fication.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switching devices and more particularly to improved means for interrupting and closing electric circuits especially adapted for use in electric switches of the type having relatively movable cooperating contacts which may be separable in an insulating fluid.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 406,961, filed August 30, 1920, for electric switches.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of relatively movable cooperating contacts for interrupting and closing electric circuits, such that one of the contacts will, in the circuit closing 2 and opening movements, be so guided and aligned as'to register correctly with the contact jaws or fingers of the other contact without bending or otherwise injuring the same.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the single figure of the accompanying drawing, there is shown the lower end of one of the terminal members 1 of an oil circuit breaker carrying a fixed contact 2 which, in the form shown, comprises a pair of laminated contact fingers 3 to which are secured guide fingers 4. Cooperating with the fixed contact fingers 3 and guide fingers 4 is a movable contact member 5 wedgeshaped in configuration and carried at one end of a reciprocable rod'6 which may be actuated by any suitable switch operating mechanism in a manner well known in the art. When the movable contact member 5 is moved into and out of engagement with the fixed cont-act 2, it often occurs, due to variations and adjustments in position, that the wedge-shaped member 5, as it moves into contact-engaging position, willstrike one of the guide fingers 4, bending it over and causing considerable damage thereby making a poor contact and throwing the meehanism out of order. I have effectually overcome this condition by providing means for so guiding the movable contact 5 in its move ment that it will be properly aligned with the fixed contact 2 and register correctlytherewith, thus insuring proper engagement and protection of the guide fingers 4:. F or this purpose, I use cam members 7 pivotally supported on shoulders 8 and rigidly carried by extensions 9 supported by the terminal member 1. The cam members 7 are so shaped and located relatively to the end of the guide fingers 4 and loosely pivoted to shoulders 8 that should be wedge-shaped movable contact 5 move out of alignment, it will strike one of the cam members 7 and be guided into its proper path for registering with the fixed contact 2 without impairing the guide fingers 4. With the cam members 7 thus pivotally mounted and free to rotate, if contact 5 is out of alignment it will be moved over or guided into the correct path of travel with a minimum of binding and friction. The cam members 7 are preferably provided with stops 10 arranged to engage the shoulders 8 to limit the extent of movement or rotation in either direction thus insuring that the cam members will always be in the correct position for either an opening or a closing movement of the contact 5. v

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An electric switching device comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts, means associated with one of said contacts for guiding the other contact into contactengaging position, and other guide means arranged adjacent said'first means for protecting the same from damage by said other contact.

2. An electric switching device comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts, guide members associated with one of said contacts, and pivotally mounted means arranged upon relative movement of said contacts to align said other contact so that the same will register with said guide members and engage said first-mentioned contact without damage to said guide members.

arranged to have rollin 3. In an electric switch, the combination with fixed contacts, of a cooperating movable contact, and means associated with said fixed contacts to guide said movable contact into contact-engaging position, and means engagement with said movable contact or protectin said guiding means from damage by sai movable contact.

4. In an electric switch, the combination with fixed contacts, of cooperating movable contacts, guide members associated with said fixed contacts, and pivotally supported members adapted to protect sald guide members and assist in directing the movement of said movable contacts into engagement with said fixed contacts.

5. In an electric switch, the combination I with fixed contacts, of cooperating movable contacts, means associated with said fixed contacts for guiding said movable contacts mto contact-engaging position, and pivotally supported members associated with said guldmg means for protecting said means and assisting the movement of said movable contacts in contact-engaging direction.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of January, 1922.

OHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN. 

